I have received numerous requests to cover how to install the Google ADT on Mac. Most people don’t know this, but I test install the Google ADT, Eclipse Juno, Eclipse Kepler and Android Studio on many different OSs and set ups on a regular basis. Up until now the Google ADT didn’t install easily every time on every Mac. It technically still isn’t an easy install, but if you follow the steps below I’m confident you can now get it to install.

I want to make a special note though that if you aren’t comfortable using the terminal, or if any of the following seems confusing it is better to use my previous tutorial to develop Android apps. It is here Install Android Development Tools.

How to Install Google ADT on Mac

1. Install Java 1.6 if you don’t already have it SKIP TO INSTALL JAVA 1.6 BELOW

a. Type java -version in the terminal

I. If you see something like java version “1.6.0_65” you have the right version of Java. SKIP TO INSTALLING THE GOOGLE ADT BELOW

b. If you see something like java version “1.7.0_65” you have to downgrade to 1.6

I. Type the following in a terminal
cd /System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/
ls

If you see a folder named 1.6, or 1.6.0 you don’t need to download and install Java. PROCEED TO II.

If you don’t see a folder named 1.6 or 1.6.0, SKIP TO INSTALL JAVA 1.6 BELOW

II. You need to set 1.6 as your default version of Java. Type the following in the terminal
cd /System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/
sudo ln -fhsv 1.6 CurrentJDK

Enter your password when asked for it and now you have the right version of Java set. SKIP TO INSTALLING THE GOOGLE ADT BELOW